The State Museum of Pennsylvania today announced its program schedule for September 2014:

Art and Barriers: The Susquehanna Art Museum presents “Art and Barriers” in the DOSHI Gallery at The State Museum of Pennsylvania through Dec. 7. Artists have long been at the forefront of social change through revolutionary and, at times, subversive means of transcending both physical and hidden boundaries. Contemporary art often acts as a mirror for barriers within all societies, challenging viewers to confront oppressive social, political, or cultural divisions. Can art be the catalyst to break down these confines? “Art and Barriers” pays homage to all artists who break through limitations of any kind.

Art of the State: The 47th Annual Art of the State is recognized as the official, statewide juried competition for Pennsylvania artists. This year’s show includes 122 pieces from 114 artists. Jurors selected artwork from five categories: Craft, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Work on Paper. The exhibit will be open to the public through Gallery Walk from 11 am to 6 pm Sept. 14. “Art of the State” is presented by Jump Street and The State Museum of Pennsylvania.

A Fondness for Birds: Pennsylvania’s Alexander Wilson: This exhibit features bird prints and first edition volumes of the 200 year-old “American Ornithology” series by Wilson, who is considered the father of American ornithology. Also featured are a number of bird specimens from the museum’s Botany and Zoology collections, some of which date to the late 19th century. The specimens underscore the museum’s historic and continuing role in the study of Pennsylvania’s flora and fauna. Museum docents will be on hand to answer questions and offer tours from 2 to 4 pm Sept. 7, 14, 21 and 28. This exhibit runs through March 15, 2015 and is included with general admission to the museum.

Archaeology at Fort Hunter: State museum archaeologists will conduct their annual excavation at Fort Hunter between Sept. 8 and Oct. 10. The public is welcome to visit and archaeologists will be on site, weekdays between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Learn @ Lunchtime/3rd in the Burg: Join the staff of the Planetarium at The State Museum of Pennsylvania on Sept. 19 for the premier of Back to the Moon for Good, narrated by Tim Allen. Immerse yourself in a race to return to the moon 40 years after the historic Apollo landings. See how a competition among privately funded, international teams is ushering in a new era of lunar exploration. Learn about the moon’s resources and explore humanity’s future on Earth’s only natural satellite. Back to the Moon for Good presents the Google Lunar XPRIZE and personal stories of competition and collaboration. Admission to the museum is free during the hours of the event.

Learn @ Lunchtime Show Times:

11 am, 11:30 am, 12 pm, 12:30 pm and 1 pm

3rd in the Burg Show Times:

5:30 pm, 6 pm, 6:30 pm and 7 pm

HomeSchool Day: Educators and curators will open the museum from 10 am to 3 pm Sept. 24 for homeschoolers and their families. Explore the museum through a series of gallery tours, presentations and hands-on activities. The planetarium show, Back to the Moon for Good, narrated by actor Tim Allen will be shown. The event costs $10 per person and is free for members of the Pennsylvania Heritage Foundation and for State Museum Affiliate Members. Pre-register by calling 717-772-6997.

The Planetarium at The State Museum of Pennsylvania: The planetarium is offering two shows Sept. 3 through Nov. 30:

“We Are Aliens” (Pre-k to grade 2): Narrated by Harry Potter actor, Rupert Grint. Learn the answers to questions such as, “What does it take to support life?” and “Are we alone in the universe?” Explore the extreme environments on Earth that support life. Take a close-up look at the research happening on Mars and throughout the solar system. Discover how astronomers are discovering exo-planets and study their environments. Join the quest to understand our galactic community.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11 am

Saturday, 11 am and 1 pm; Sunday, 1 pm

“Back to the Moon For Good” (grade 4 and up): Narrated by Tim Allen. Immerse yourself in a race to return to the moon 40 years after the historic Apollo landings. See how a competition among privately funded, international teams is ushering in a new era of lunar exploration. Learn about the moon’s resources and discover what explore humanity’s future on Earth’s only natural satellite. Back to the Moon for Good presents the Google Lunar XPRIZE and personal stories of competition and collaboration.